Similar to the new standards, roles in Diamond and Pearl have been changed significantly as well. This guide is meant to be a sort of remake of the adv gen one by sN0wBaLL. Also like the new standards, this has been made to for mainly in-game purposes. Taken from that guide: “‘In-game’ refers to Wi-Fi matches at best. This is mainly because the general population does not have easy access to perfect Hidden Powers and DVs. This has been reflected in the guide by giving extra options with every Common Hidden Power and by the use of simple EV spreads. (252/252/6 or 252/129/129) Obviously, getting the perfect Hidden Powers and DVs would make a set much better, and I have not limited the movesets very much. At best, this guide could also serve as a basis for competitive gameplay movesets.”

Overview: Physical Sweepers are basically Pokemon that attack with physical moves to deal damage. Generally, the more damage dealt, the more effective the sweeper. Sweepers can also be very diverse in how they are used. For example, there are many useful items and moves that support the role and in various ways. Other than the addition of numerous previously special moves, not much has changed on the physical side.

Overview: Take out the obvious change from physical to special, and these are pretty much the same as Physical Sweepers. Similar things apply, especially the part about diversity among them. Special Sweepers have gained a significant amount of things in DP to match Physical Sweepers even more, like the addition of the Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, and Nasty Plot.

Overview: Mixed Sweepers are also pretty much what they sound like: mixed. They combine the physical and special aspects of sweeping into one moveset. This is not very common as it usually requires good stats and usable moves on both parts. The use of a Mixed Sweeper has declined a little in DP because so many Pokemon now have access more significant moves of either the physical or special side. This doesn’t mean that Pokemon can’t still do it however.

Common offensive moves: Refer to the Physical and Special Sweepers’ common moves.
Common support moves: Refer to the Physical and Special Sweepers’ common moves.
Common afflicting moves: None

Overview: Pokemon that can continuously take hits from Physical Sweepers fit here. Taking these hits generally suggests a big HP and/or Defense stat, and you can’t really do this without one. The worst change to them in DP is that there are now more physical and special moves of different types. This means there are more weaknesses out there, and these new weaknesses can hurt badly.

Overview: Like Mixed Sweepers, these incorporate both physical and special aspects of defense. However, seeing as a Mixed Sponge would sound weird, Tanks are a bit more appropriate. Not many changes in DP except for the obvious “more weaknesses” part with the sponges.

Common offensive moves: None
Common support moves: Refer to the Physical and Special Sponges’ common moves
Common afflicting moves: Refer to the Physical and Special Sponges’ common moves

Overview: Put simply: Pokemon that use Toxic. This doesn’t mean just slapping Toxic on any moveset however. This is the group of Pokemon known as Toxi-Tanks, Toxi-Shufflers, Toxi-Stallers and Toxi-Trappers. Nothing too significant has changed to affect these Pokemon in DP.

Overview: Typically, Annoyers annoy your opponent. This is because of the numerous methods they have of causing status afflictions or making themselves more difficult to hit. Not many new additions in DP.

Overview: Pseudo-Passers set up certain conditions for your team like Reflect and switch out to give the incoming Pokemon the boost. New things like Tailwind and Trick Room have come in DP. Also, Light Clay is a hold item that extends Reflect’s and Light Screen’s turn count by two.

Overview: Leech Seed is the main move here. In DP, there’s now a more powerful and common special Grass move than Giga Drain (Energy Ball), so Giga Drain might not be used on as many Drainer sets. There is also a new Big Root item that increases the amount gained by Giga Drain, Dream Eater, Drain Punch, and Ingrain by 15%. It does not boost Leech Seed. Dream Eater is still not recommended because it still only works while the opponent is asleep and is entirely useless otherwise.

Overview: Pokemon with the strategy to nullify the opponent’s stat raising moves. Other than merely using Haze, this is basically done by forcing a switch. Roar and Whirlwind are easy alternatives, Pseudo-Hazing moves. Psych Up and Perish Song are other, yet more difficult ways (Psycho- and Perish-Hazing respectively). These are not very complex strategies usually and only require the use of one move at best. Thus, most Pokemon will usually have this as a type of filler strategy. No notable DP changes, however.

Common offensive moves: None
Common support moves: Haze, Roar, Whirlwind, Psych Up
Common afflicting moves: Perish Song

Overview: Spikes is the general move here. In DP however, two new Spike-like moves have been added. The more significant, Stealth Rock, requires only one layer of setup and can deal damage based on Rock’s offensive type effectiveness. Toxic Spikes can cause the Toxic condition based on raising percentages per layer added.

Overview: Named after the move it uses: Rapid Spin. Spinners are generally used to take care of all Spikes problems. Other conditions that can be “spun” away include Leech Seed, which can be switched out of, and trapping moves that simply wear off. Spinners are usually sweepers or utility Pokemon that can just spare an extra slot for this move. Changes in DP mainly include the need to get rid of Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes.

Common offensive moves: Rapid Spin (unless you’d call it a support move)
Common support moves: None
Common afflicting moves: None

Overview: “Hax” is basically luck. Critical hits, flinches, and secondary effects on moves like Ice Beam are all luck. And in Pokemon, there’s a lot of it. This role is made of Pokemon that can really abuse this luck. Not any specific new tools added in DP however.

Overview: Just what it sounds like: draining PP. These Pokemon are meant to take numerous hits to waste your opponent’s PP. However, since actual ways to help this take effect are rare, usually only Pokemon with the ability Pressure do the job. There’s a great new incentive for PP-Draining in DP, too: Struggle’s recoil has been changed so that it takes away 1/4 max HP from the user.

Overview: If you trap your opponent, add Perish Song, stay alive a few more turns, and switch on the last turn, you pretty much earned a knock out here. And that’s what Perish-Trappers do. Nothing changes in DP.

Overview: Utility Pokemon are useful in multiple areas and are used for multiple roles, usually taking the spot of a Hazer, Spiker, Spinner, Pseudo-Passer or Healer. All the changes in DP are reflected in the multiple roles the Pokemon takes on.

Another example of haxer would be togekiss, since it has a lot of special moves to take advantage of serene grace. Like air slash (60% flinching, more if you add kings rock); ancient power + batton pass (20% super stat raise and pass it); flamethrower, ice beam, etc.

Going off of personal experience, gengars aren't the best perish-trappers. Even with hypnosis. The only way to make that plan work is to mean look on the switch and hypnotize the next turn. However, at that point, you're better off using dream eater and another special move.

_________________^Image by dragoni_slayer2014^

Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:26 pm

tiger10x

Gym Leader

Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:37 amPosts: 603Location: ...wuszat?

To be honest, there are really only a few Pokemon capable of Perish-trapping. Gengar obviously wouldn't be the best one, but its speed works well in there with Hypnosis. About the actual strategy you mentioned, that is what Perish-Trappers usually do.

For physical sweeper why don't you add Garchomp. In my opinion it's the best physical sweeper. It was 11 levels under the champ's Milotic and it nearly OHKOed it. Try this moveset.

Swords Dance
Dragon Claw
EQ
Rock slide/Fire fang/Crunch

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Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:40 am

tiger10x

Gym Leader

Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:37 amPosts: 603Location: ...wuszat?

goldenquagsire: It's a mistake in the TechDex. The stat-raising effect is in DP. (I've seen this happen on a Diamond game, too.)

R-cubed: The current three examples should be fine as is. I don't see any reason to add more than that.

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Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:55 pm

StevensNightmare

Dragon Tamer

Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:56 amPosts: 219

What about 2-2 battle strategies? Like, a small side addition of how each type would work in a 2-2 battle, and what pokemon would be better or worse for their role there? For example, in 2-2, Wobbuffet can be used with a Perish-Trapper to seal two opponents with Shadow Tag, then switch out.

Thu May 31, 2007 1:55 pm

tiger10x

Gym Leader

Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:37 amPosts: 603Location: ...wuszat?

This is only a single battle thing. I don't know if or when a new 2v2 guide will be adapted for DP, but there is an Adv gen guide until then.

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